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By Mikee Natinga Norico

The College of Computer Studies team proudly poses for a photo after their film “Ang Pulong sang Mga Baboy” wins Best Film at the 2025 Sigrab Film Festival.

Around 1,000 supporters from various departments and colleges of ����ר�� (CPU) flocked to the Rose Memorial Auditorium on April 22 for the much-anticipated opening of the 2025 Sigrab Film Festival. Spearheaded by the CPU Communication Circle (CCC), the event showcased a vibrant fusion of cinematic storytelling and environmental advocacy, aligning with this year’s Earth Day celebration.

With the theme “Blue Phoenix”—symbolizing a rebirth through a more intense and passionate flame—the 8th Sigrab Film Festival marked a pivotal moment for the CPU community. CCC President Pure Grace Melody Jotiz emphasized the significance of the new theme and the partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Environmental Management Bureau (DENR–EMB), highlighting the festival’s growing environmental focus.

“We want them to take away a lesson of loving the Earth,” Jotiz said. “The Earth is our home, and we have to continue to make a change so that our world doesn’t change for the worse, but for the better.”

The College of Engineering team poses for a photo after their film ��ಹ�Բ�����” receives the 2nd Jury Prize at the 2025 Sigrab Film Festival.

The festival opened with remarks from Rabbie Chris Carvajal, Chief of the Environmental Education and Information Unit of DENR–EMB Western Visayas, who urged students to embrace activism through art. “These films are not just mirrors—they are windows of hope to action. And that’s what Earth Day is really about,” Carvajal declared.’

The program featured a full-day lineup of film screenings, a red-carpet segment, and an evening awards ceremony that recognized outstanding student filmmakers across CPU. The top prize, Best Film, was awarded to “Ang Pulong sang Mga Baboy” from the College of Computer Studies. ��ಹ�Բ�����” from the College of Engineering earned the 2nd Jury Prize, while ��پ�����Բ�” from the College of Nursing took home the Special Jury Prize.

Several other distinctions were handed out to recognize outstanding contributions in performance and production. Senior High School students took home Best Poster, Best in Cinematography, and Best Actor for Jefrey James Punzalan. Francince Borines from the College of Hospitality Management was named Best Actress, while her co-actor Roselyn Pagangpang received Best Supporting Actress. Ian Laczi from the College of Engineering won Best Supporting Actor, and the College of Medical Laboratory Science earned the Coca-Cola Award for Best Editing.

The College of Nursing team poses for a photo after their film ��پ�����Բ�” earns the Special Jury Prize at the 2025 Sigrab Film Festival.

The festival’s Top 6 Best Film finalists came from the College of Computer Studies, College of Business and Accountancy, College of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Engineering, College of Nursing, and the Department of Junior High School.

The panel of judges was composed of industry experts and educators, including filmmakers Arlie Sweet Sumagaysay Salvadico and Richard Jeroui Salvadico, Directors; Marcelo Tolentino IV, Proprietor and Creative Director; Mary Kareen Gancio, Faculty Member of the Broadcasting Division at WVSU – COC, Adviser for WVSU Film Society, SineMaskom, and AIKI – WEST; Rabbie Chris Carvajal, Chief of the Administrative Section of EMB 6; Nikki Ann Guillen, Public Relations Officer for DENR VI; Laragene Servando Retazo, Founding Director of Eksena Training Services; and Lowell Jan M. Yasas, a Guimarasnon filmmaker and producer whose body of work explores identity, memory, and the coming-of-age experience within rural and regional contexts.

Key personalities gracing the event included CPU Vice President for Finance and Enterprises, Dr. Florence Bogacia, who also delivered the morning welcoming remarks; CPU-R Prime Minister Crisfe Vergara, who shared a special message during the afternoon program; and Prof. Clarence Benjamin, Adviser for CCC and the Sigrab Organizing Committee, who gave the opening message during the awards night.

Despite the festival’s success, the journey was far from easy. Head Organizer Nalyssa Resoles, a BA Communication student, shared the behind-the-scenes challenges of mounting the event with a small team.

“The title of head organizer was given to me not because I had all the answers, but to help hold the team together… I found myself handling tech, managing production, and solving problems left and right—all while keeping up with my classes, OJT, and thesis,” Resoles revealed.

She expressed deep gratitude to the CPU community and DENR–EMB for their support: “This event became so much more than just a requirement or a tradition. Because of DENR, it gained something more. Without them, Sigrab would’ve ended on its 7th year. But instead, we found the strength to continue—and that made all the difference.”

Looking forward, Resoles hopes Sigrab will remain a platform for young voices and filmmakers at CPU. “May the passion for storytelling never fade,” she said.

As the curtains close on this year’s edition, the Sigrab Film Festival continues to blaze forward—reborn like its theme, the Blue Phoenix—igniting minds, stories, and action.